Animal trap



July ll, 1941. H, R, GRAYBlLL 2,247,632

ANIMAL TRAP Filed Deo. l5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1\ July 1, 1941. H. R. GRM/BILL v 2,247,632'

ANIMAL TRAP ATTORNEY July l, 1941. H. R. GRAYBILL ANIMAL TRAP Filed Dec. l5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 NTOR my l( 15k/LA M? @LAI ATTORNEY Patented July 1, 1941 UNITED `STATES PATENT OFFICE (Cl. l13--88) 9 Claims.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which show one form of trap embodying my invention and a slight modification thereof, selected by me for purposes of illustration, said inventionbeing fully disclosed in the following4 description and claims.

In the manufacture of steel traps, a spring actuated pivoted closing arm or lever having an aperture embracing the usually tapered end portions of the pivoted jaws, is frequently used at one, or in some instances at both ends of the jaws for closing the jaws when the trap is sprung. It has been customary to provide the apertures of the said closingarms with downwardly extending anges, extending parallel to `each other along the opposite longitudinal sides of the aperture and formed by bending portions of the metal of the closing arm, which is preferably and usually formed from sheet metal, perpendicular to the plane of the body of the closing arm, said flanges terminating abruptly adjacent to the opposite ends of said aperture. In such constructions when the trap vis sprung the closing arm acting under the influence of its spring raises the engaged portions of the jaws, swinging them upwardly in opposite directions to bring the jaws together, the opposite edges of the closing aperture riding up the oppositely inclined outer edges of the jaws and producing a wedging action. The inclination of the outer faces, of the jaws when in substantiallyl vertical position, to the vertical plane of movement of the opposite edges of the closing aperture is very slight. At the time this wedging action takes place, it causes the opposite edges of the closing aperture to exert inward pressure in opposite directions, or at an angle of 180 against the oppositely inclined faces or edges of the jaws in directions substantially parallel tothe axis of the closing arm. If this `engagement between the parallel edges of Vthe closing aperture and the inclined edges of the jaws is permitted to continue until arrested by the jaws coming into contact with each other, that is to say with nothing between them, a jamming or wedging action will result which will make it extremely difcult to depress the closing arm for the purpose of releasing the jaws and resetting the trap. This jamming of the jaws .between the parallel sides or edges of the closing aperture is greatly aggravated where the traps have been stored for a considerable time and the contacting surfaces of the jaws and closing arm have, as frequently happens, rusted together.

ItV has been proposed to provide the outer inclined edges of the jaws with shoulders to act as stops to limit the upward movement of the closing arm. This is objectionable for the reason that, to form the jaws with shoulders, produces more waste of material and increases the cost of the traps.

My present invention is directed tothe pro-Y vision of means for preventing the jamming' action above referred to without forming the o bjectionable shoulders on the jaws. To this end I provide the closing arm'with a closing aperture having its opposite and preferably paralleledges or flanges which engage the jaws with opposite inwardly extending portions, preferably curved, at their outer ends, which gradually narrow the aperture at that end. The closing armis mounted on a pivot, the axis of which is not concentric with the curvature of the portionof the jaws engaged by the closing aperture, and the construction is such that the said edges will be engaged by the jaws at points shifting progressively toward the outer end of the aperture, and including the said inwardly curved portions as the closing arm acts to close the jaws. The effect of this construction is to bring the jaws into Vcontact with the inwardly extending preferably curved portions of said lateral edges or flanges of the closing aperture before the jaws are brought completely together, so that when the jaws meet, the closing arm is arrested by .said curved portions at a point on the jaws where their combined width is slightlyV less than the distance between the straight lateral portions or flanges of the aperture. This changes the direction of pressure of the closing armV on the jaws, so that, instead of being exerted in opposite directions'parallel to its axis by the vparallel portions of the aperturetoward the sides ofthe jaws, at an angle of the one from rthe other, it is applied by the curved portions in directions between parallel and perpendicular tothe axis, substantially toward the outer corners of the jaws. In other words, the angle between-such directionsof pressure will be lessthan 180, and at the same time there will be a slight space between the lateral exterior edges of the jaws and the lateral edges or flangesof the closing aperture.

This construction has been found to practically eliminate the possibility `of the trap jamming when closed, as the slightest movement of the closing lever downwardly toward the set position will cause the inwardly curved portions of the closing aperture to move away fromthe jawskby reason of the fact that their arc of movement is eccentricto the curvature of the jaws at that point, and as before stated, there is a clear space between the outer lateral edges of the jaws and the adjacent edges of the closing aperture, so

that the jaws are instantly released. Further' more, with this construction the wear of the parts which arevin engagement in the` completely closed position ofthe trap will be very'v slight and would have the effect merely of shifting the di-Y rection of pressure more and more toward planes perpendicular to the axis ofthe closing arm, so that the wear of the parts cannot defeat the purpose of my invention and cause jamming.

In carrying myv invention into effect, where the closing aperture of the closing arm is provided, as it usually is, with flanges extending along its lateral edges, I extend these fianges around the previously described inwardly extending curved edges of the aperture at its outer end, at4l the 'same time tapering the verticalheight o`f these curved portions of thejiianges until they merge'into the lower face of the closing arm,

. the curved portions of theseiilanges serving to reinforce the fianges and prevent them from spreading apart at their outer edges'. i Y

In some instances I may supplement the con- Vstruction previously described in the case of large sizedtraps `by providing a projection at the outer end ofthe aperture in the' closing arm between thefoppositely'and inwardly curved portions of thelateral flanges to engage the outer surfaces of the 'jaws' and serve asa positive stop for the closingfarm when the trap is sprung empty, thus preventing unnecessary wear of the inwardly curved portions of said edges Vor flanges, -and the engaged portions of the jaws. f g f V`,Referring to the 'said drawings,

Fig v1l is a plan view of a trapvprovided with a pair of oppositely acting closing arms for closing'ith'e jawsalnd having my inventionembodied therein, thetrap' being shown in? set position. A 'Fig'.Z is aside elevation of the trap, showing iii/dotted linesthe positions of the closing arms, and jaws in sprung or released'position.Y v "Fig.1`3"is' aV detail sectional' view showing the jaws in set position and one of the closing arms in'lsection.' i

Fig, 1 is apartialjend elevation'of the trap in Y released position; I. Fig. 5gis a section of a' portion of the trap as 1t would appear if in released position, and the section were niade on line 5 5 of'FigrZ.

shown in this particular trap, it being understood that the particular details of the trap are not essential elements of my invention, which may Vbe embodied in traps of different type having pivoted spring actuated closing arms. In this instance each closing arm is pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft 4, extending through portions of the main frame I, and Vprovided each with a spring coil 5 `for operating the adjacent'closing In this particular trap the pivot shafts 4 are connected by a crossbar 4a which is supported invention.

by the usual cross S, secured to the main frame in any desired manner, but this is unimportant..V

\ Each of the springs 5 is provided withan arm 5a at its outer` end engaging the cross, and any actuating arm 5b at its opposite end having a rectangular bent portion 5c, said arm and bent Y and is engaged in a well known manner-withia. latch 8 adapted to lie over one of the'jaws 2, as shown in Fig. ,1, and engage the triggerwhe'n the trap is set.V As `before' stated, the particular details of this trap Vform no part of my lpresent .Each of theY closing arms-3 is provided withan aperture indicated at 9, which is adapted to surround they adjacenti'ipturnedV portion I a of the` frame andl engage `the end portions of the jaws Y pivotedinsaid upturned portion.V YThe'portins of the Jaws adjacent to their pivotal connections` are preferably slightly taperedY at their fouter edges, as indicated bestV at 2b Vin Fig.3. The lateraledges of the? closing aperture 9 infeach of the closing arms are drifted or swaged to provide lateral fianges, indicated at I0, I0, and said apertures 9, as bestshown in Fig. 4 are provided adjacent to their outer ends with inwardly curved portions I I. 'I'he flanges I0, preferably have their Fig.'V 6 isV a'detail of a'closingfarm showing a slightly modified construction.

Fig; 'lis 'a detail sectional view showing a por'- tion offa closing arm 'and jawsin released `position, and illustrating another slight modication.

' 'I'Fig'lj 8 fis a view similar to Fig. 6 showing an-f y other modified form of closing arm inV which the lateral flanges on opposite Ysides ofthe closing aperture are omitted. Y

VF'igp9 is a section on line 9-0 of Fig'. 8.

VFig. 10is` av plan viewof atwo trigger trap having my invention embodied' therein;

j Fig. 11i isa'idetail viewsimilar to Fig. 4 of a portion of the 'trap shown in ".ig.- 10 Vshowing theun'derfac'eof the closing arm in. released position and adjacent parts.

I end portions curved to follow the said inwardly curved edges of the apertures 9, and the curved portions of these flanges I0, indicated at` Illa, have their lower faces inclined or tapered ,up-

` wardly so as to substantially merge in the plane of the` lower face of the closing arm. rWhile-IV prefer to provide the closing arm with the anges I0, Illa, these Yflanges maybe omitted asshown in Fig. 8 if desired.Y The combined width-of the jaws l2, 2 atY the point where the closing Yarrn cornesv to rest, as shown in Fig. 5, is slightlyrless than the widthV of the closing aperture Y9, and

innen Wider. than the distance between the ten minal inwardly curvedlportions II of the closing apertureV or` the inwardly. curved portions IIla of flanges I0, the construction being such thatY when the closingv arm lis' released from the set position, indicatedY inF'igs.A 1,2 and v3, and rises underthe influence-i of its actuating spring, the innerlateral edges of the closing aperturefwhich move in planes substantially at right angleswith the pivot shaft 4, rwill engage the outer tapered Y edges 2b, Zblof the..jawsctorclose them",A and vas they close, w1ll apply the force of A,the spring to C the jaws in opposite directions l-substantially parallel to the axis 'ofthe closing arm as ,indicated bythe arrowsa ginFigf, said directionsy being therefore, at an'anglefof 180 Vto eachother,1 as indicated by 'the arrows fr, :13.Y These engaged portions of the jaws,as shown in Fig. 2, foreex-Y ample, are curved eccentrically with respectnto Y dinal portions ofthe flanges I with the body portion of the closing arm, thereby reinforcing located that when the closing arm reaches ay position to bring the jaws 2, 2 intocontact with eachother the jaws will have come into engage shifted toward directions perpendicular to the axis of the closing arm to a greater or less extent, as indicated by the arrows y, y in said figure.

It follows, therefore, that when it is desired to set the trap the slightest movement of the closing arm downward will carry the inwardly curved portions of the closing aperture outward away from the jaws, by reason of the fact that the movement of the arm is eccentric tothe curvature of the jaws as before described, and as there is a space l2 at each side of the jaws, they are instantly freed and no jamming effect can be produced.

Another advantage of having the outer -ends of the edges of the closing aperturesv and its flanges curved towards each other is that it will allow for variations in the manufacture of the closing levers and of the jaws, which often occur in mass production, so that if the Vjaws should be slightly narrower than lthe standard width at the point where the lever comes to rest upon them, or if the aperture in the closing lever should be slightly wider than standard, the trap will still function perfectly, because in either case the jaws will contact the edges of theclosing flanges thereof a little farther aroundthe curved portions, but there will still be sufficient lateral pressure to hold them tightly together, whereas in the case of such variations in a trap having a lever with only the straight sideefianges on the aperture, the outer end of the aperture may strike the outer faces of the jaws so las to stop the lever in a position where the side flanges lwill not exert suilicient lateral pressure Vto grip them tightly or will not contact them at all'. y

This contact, due to the change in pressure, will be such as to prevent the possibility of the closing arms jamming on the jaws,r and this is true even though the trap, by exposure to atmosphere, has rusted at these'contacting portions, Consequently, the trap can be very readilyl set under any and all conditions, asV previously stated. i

It is desirable to so construct the vparts that the corner portions 2c of the jaws will come into contact with the curved portions Il of the closing aperture, or the integral portions |0a of the flanges lll, as closely as possible to the points where the said curved portions unite with the straight lateral portions so as Ato insure suillcient lateral pressure to grip the jaws securely.

In addition to making it practically impossible for the closing arm to jam, the formation of the inwardly curved portions lila of Ithe flanges i0 serves an additional purpose in 'acting as a brace to connect the outer ends of the longituthe flanges I0 and preventing any tendency thereof to spread apart.

vIn some instances I find it desirable to form the lateral edges of the aperture in the closing arm, Aand the flanges thereof if present, in such a Vmanner that theyfare inclined toward each other in aldirection longitudinally of the closing arm, as indicated in Fig. 6, in which the ycorresponding parts are given the same reference numerals l-with the addition of 100. instancethe lateral edges of the closing aperture andtheir flanges H0 'approach each other gradually toward the outer end of the closing arm' |03. The outer ends of the flanges H0 connected by portions Il I, the lower faces of which are inclined or tapered, are connected with the body of the closing arm so as to stifien and reinforce the ilanges lin, but the inwardly curved portions of the edges of the closing arm or its flanges may be substantially omitted. In this case, likewise, when the closing arm reaches its outermost position, in the released position of the trap, the outer edges of the tapered portions of the jaws will have shifted their positions outwardly toward the outer end of the closing aperture 109,' so as to bring about the engagement ofthe outer portions of the edges of the closing aperture or its flanges III) with the outer'and uppericorners of the jaws, and shifting the directions of pressure toward the perpendicular with respect to the axis of the closing arm, to a greater or less extent, and at less than with respect to eachother, thus preventing jamming.

In Fig. 7, in which corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals with the laddition of V2il0, I have shown a portion of the closing arm constructed as i dicated inrFigs. 1 to 5linclusive, and operating in exactly the same manner, but in this instanceI have shown the outer end of the closing apferture 209 in -th'e closing arm 203 provided with an inwardly extending stop or projection 2I2. This stop lug is of .such length as to contact the outer `faces of the jaws 202, before the jaws are engaged by the curved portions of the edges of the closing aperture with suilcient force to stop the closing arm, 'when the jaws are not separated slightly bythe leg of an animal as hereinbefore stated. This positive stop prevents unnecessary wear on the engaging portions of the. closing arm and jaws when the trap is sprung empty.

I preferto confine the use of this projection 2I2 to ,traps for `larger animals, in whicncase the jaws arealways held so far apart by the leg of the animal that this projection could not possibly come Vinto action in such a manner yas tofpermit the animal to escape, which mightbe the casel with traps for smaller animals where especiallythe jaws are closed upon 'an exceed-Y ingli7 slender portion of the foot or other 'part of the animal. f 1

, Furthermore, in. such traps for the smaller animals'less powerful springs are used than in traps for the larger animals, and the dangers of injury to'such smaller traps'` by wear of the engaged portions of the closing arm and jaws when they are closed empty are very much less.

In-UFigs. 8 and 9, in which corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals with the addition of 300, I have shown a closing arm simi'- lar to `that shown in Figs.l 1 and 2, exceptv that the4 closingaperture 309 is not ,provided onits lower side V-with a depending flangeV surrounding In this used.

the edges of the aperture as inthe forms previously described. In these figures, the closing arm 30,3 is formed in the same general shape as previously shown and described, and maybe provided adjacent to its exterior side edgesv with ystiiiening iianges. s Y

The lateral edges of the aperture 309, however, areA provided adjacent to the outer end of the aperture with the inwardly curved portions indicated lat 3 l l, to be engaged by the upperouter corners of the jaws in the manner-previously de-Y scribed forthe purpose of changing the direction ofpressure exerted by the closing arm on the jaws from a direct lateral pressure ina plane substantially parallel to the axisrofv the closing arm on each jaw to a pressure at a greater or less angle to said'axis on one jaw at an angle of less than 180 to that on the other, for the purpose of preventing jamming. I prefer to provide the lateral portions and curved portions of the closing aperture with the iianges previously describedfas it enables me to form the closing arm of lighter material than could otherwise be InFigs. 10 and 11, in which corresponding parts are given the same numerals with 'the addition of 400, I have illustrated this invention applied to a -trap having two sets ofY jaws. In these iigures 40| represents the main frame provided with a cross 406,V the main frame carrying the pivoted main jaws 402 and being provided with a closing arm 403;'having the closing aperture 400 constructedsubstantially as illustrated in Figs. 1 .to inclusive, the lateral edges of'the closing aperture 40S being provided with a curved inwardly extending portion 4H, and said edgesbeing provided with the downwardly extending flanges 4I0 terminating at their outer ends with the curved portions 4i0a, conforming to the curvature of the edges 4I l and merging into the bottom face of the closing arm, as previously described and as clearly shown in Fig. 11. In this trap the cross 408 is provided withastationary secondary jawV 4l3, and a secondary pivoted jaw 414, is pivotally mounted on a cross pin 404, on which the closing arm is mounted and around which the coil springs 405 extend. This secondary jaw is acted upon by an arm 410 Yat one end of each of the springs405 engaging projections 4l4a. of the secondary pivoted jaw, Vwhile the actuating arms 405e at the other ends of said'springs engage the under face of the closing arm. The. springs thus actuate the jaws 402 through the closing arm and also actuate Ythe secondary jaw v4|4. The secondary jaw 4l4is provided with an auxiliaryftrigger mechanism comprising the-arm or lever 4,!5 which is pivotally secured Yto VtheY outer end lof the base plate 401. The main jaws 402 are securedin set position by the pivoted latch 408 whichengages the trigger portion 401a of the pan 40T as'iprevi-V ously described, with reference to Figs.` 1 andk 2 iorexample; TheY trigger portion 401a'is'sl1own inV Fig, as being provided with a sighting notch oraperture 4011) for enabling the operator to determine the position ofthe inner edge of the latch 408 in settingthe trap,lbut this forms no part of myV present invention, as the Vsame is covered by an applicationof John U. Lehn, filedSeptember.V

23, 1939and given Serial No. 296,229. .i

In setting the trap having the two sets ofI jaws, illustrated in Figs.V 10 and 11, theauxiliary'jaw 414r i'siirst set and secured in set position by plas- 'ing thelatch 4l overit and engaging Vit 4temporarily with aV notch 4I6a (see Fig. 1 the 'adjacent upturnedV portion V40m of the' base. The 75 Patent is:

latch 400 isnengaged with the trigger portion 401e ouf-the .tripping deviceor pan 401, after which'the latchj 4|@y is removed Vfrom the notch 4I'o`a,and

placed inzchdargeoi the adjacent'main jaw 402 as o showgirl' Fig-.10 I Y V.r 'AVS/31.611,thee rap` is sprung, the closing airmwill rise and effect the` closing of the main jaws, and

the curved Vportions 4H and .4l0a of the closing aperture and its anges will-.be brought into con-v tact with `the upper and outer corner portions of the jaws, k.ifs the jaws are permitted to meet, thus shifting the direction of pressure of the closing arm Aon each ofthe main jaws from directly. oppositelateral directions to opposite inwardly inclined directionswith theangle of inclination less than-"V the one from the other, so as to prevent jamming of the closing arm and the main jaws as previously described. Itwill also be seen that, as the main jaws are raised by the closing arm into or towardclosed position when the trap is sprung, the auxiliary trigger lever 4 l 6.*will be released and fly upward, thereby releasing the secondary pivoted jaw 414, which will be actuated bythe spring 40,5 to move it.V through an arc of approximately during theA latter portion of which it will clampV the body of the animal between it and the as hereinbefore described. In such a constructionV the-portions ofthe jaws adjacentV to the pivots would extend outside of the arcof travel of the jaw engaging portions of the arm and effect the sameresultas where the jaws are curved eccentrically to the axis of the arm;

What Iclairn andV desire to secure by Letters 1; A trap having a base, a pair of opposed curved jaws pivotedrthereto,'and` a spring actuated closing arm pivoted to the base at a point eccentric with respect tothe adjacent curved portionsV of thejaws, said arm having a closing aperture thelateral. edges of which engage the outer lateral vfaces `of the jaws during'the closing of the jaws, and exert pressure in opposite directions y,on-'said,jawssubstantially' parallel to the `axis Aof theiclosing` arm, asthe jaws approachA closed position, the edges of said aperture having inwardly extending portions for engaging the jaws'.V when the `latter k,are in completely closed po- 'Y sition to shift the directions lin which the pressure of said arm is applied to the vjaws toward planes perpendicular to the axis of said armY and prevent jammingvof the engaged surfaces of the closingjarmand jaws. y f Y.

Y2.5,A Ytrap having a base, a pair of opposed curved jaws pivoted thereto, and a spring aetui ated Vclosing arm pivoted to the Ybase atk arpoint eccentricgwith respect to the adjacent .curved portions-of the jaws, said arm having a closing aperture, the lateral edges of which-engage the outer lateral faces'of the jaws during the closingof 'the `jaws, and exert pressure in 'oppositeV directions on said jaws substantially parallel to theaxis of lthe closing arm as the jaws approachjaws when the latter are in completely closed position to shift the directions in which vthe pressure of said arm is applied to the jaws, toward planes perpendicular to the axis of'said arm and vprevent jamming of the engaged surfaces of the closing arm and jaws, said aperture being of such width as to provide clearance between the outer lateral faces of the jaws and the lateral opposed edges of the closing aperture when the jaws are in closed position.

3. A trap having a base, a pair of opposed curved jaws pivoted thereto, and a spring actuated closing arm pivoted to the base at a point eccentric with respect to the adjacent curved portions of the jaws, said arm having a closing aperture, the lateral edges of which engage the outer lateral faces of the jaws during the closing of the jaws, and exert pressure in opposite directions on said jaws, substantially parallel to the axis ofthe closing arm as the jaws approach closed position, the edges of said aperture having substantially parallel opposed portions and inwardly curved portions at the outer end of said aperture for engaging the jaws when the latter are in completely closed position to shift the pressure of the closing arm upon said jaws, toward planes perpendicular to the axis of the closing arm, the width of said aperture between the substantially parallel edges thereof being greater than the combined width of the jaws, at the point where they engage said inwardly curved portions of said aperture.

4. In a trap, the combination with a base and a pair of opposed pivotally mounted jaws having curved portions of a spring actuated closing arm pivoted to the base eccentrically with respeot to the curved portions of the jaws, and provided with a closing aperture having substantially parallel lateral edges which engage the outer lateral faces of said jaws and apply pressure thereto in opposite directions substantially parallel to the axis of the closing arm when the jaws approach a vertical position, the edges of .said closing aperture engaged by said jaws Ihaving inwardly curved portions for engaging the upper and outer corners of the respective jaws when the jaws are brought into close proximity to apply pressure to the jaws in opposite directions inclined to the axis of the closing arm, the width of said closing aperture between the substantially parallel portions being greater than the combined widths of said jaws at the points where they are engaged by said inwardly curved portions, whereby jamming is prevented in the closed position of the trap between the closing arm and jaws.

5. In a trap, the combination with a base and a pair of opposed pivotally mounted jaws, having curved portions of a spring actuated closing arm pivoted to the base eccentrically with respect to the curved portions of the jaws and provided with a closing aperture for engaging the edges of said jaws, the opposite parallel lateral edges of the said closing aperture being provided with longitudinal flanges, the inner faces of which engage the outer edges of the jaws and apply pressure thereto in opposite directions substantially parallel to the axis of the closing arm when the jaws approach vertical positions, said anges adjacent to the outer end of said aperture having inwardly curved portions integral with and connecting the ends of said anges and the adjacent plane portion of the closing arm to reinforce said flanges, and to engage the outer and upper corners of the jaws when in closed position to apply-pressure to the jaws in opposite directions inclined to the axis of thev closing arm, the distance between the parallel portions of said anges being greater than v-the combined widths of said jawswat the upoints engaged by the closing arm when th v'-jawsare in closed position.

6. In a trap, the combination with a base and a pair of opposed pivotally mounted jaws having curved portions of a spring actuated closing arm pivoted to the base eccentrically with respect to the curved portions of the jaws and provided with a closing aperture for engaging the outer edges of said jaws and applying pressure thereto in opposite directions substantially parallel to the axis of the closing arm when the jaws approach vertical positions, the opposite lateral edges of the said closing aperture being provided with 1ongitudinal parallel anges, the inner faces of which engage the outer edges of the jaws, said flanges adjacent to the outer end of said aperture having inwardly curved portions integral with and connecting the ends of said anges, and the adjacent plane portion of the closing arm toreinforce said anges, and to engage the outer and upper corners of the jaws when the latter are closed, to apply pressure to the jaws in opposite directions inclined to the axis of the closing arm, the width of said aperture between the parallel portions of said iianges being greater than the combined widths of said jaws, at the points engaged by the closing arm when the jaws are closed, to prevent jamming, the outer end edge of said closing aperture being provided with a transverse stop for engaging the outer faces of said jaws.

7. In a trap, the combination with a base and a pair of opposed pivotally mounted jaws having curved portions adjacent to their pivots, and a spring actuated closing arm pivoted to the rbase at a point eccentric with respect to the adjacent curved portions of the jaws, said arm having a closing aperture, the opposite lateral edges of the aperture engaging and applying pressure to the outer lateral faces of the jaws in opposite directions at an angle of substantially to one another as the jaws approach closed position, the edges of said aperture having inwardly extending portions for engaging the jaws when the latter are in completely closed position and applying pressure thereto in opposite directions at an angle less than 180 the one to the other when the jaws are in completely closed position.

8. A trap having a base, a pair of opposed jaws, and a spring actuated closing arm embracing the jaws and pivotally mounted intermediate the jaw pivots, the portions of the jaws adjacent to their pivots and engaged by said arm extending out of alignment with the arc of travel of the jaw engaging portions of said arm, said arm 'having `a closing aperture, the lateral edges of which engage the outer lateral faces of the jaws during the closing movement thereof and exert pressure in opposite directions on said jaws substantially parallel to the axis of the closing arm as the jaws approach closing position, the edges of said aperture having inwardly extending portions for engaging the jaws when the latter are in completely closed position to shift the directions in which the pressure of said arm is applied to the jaws toward planes perpendicular to the axis of said arm and prevent jamming of the engaged surfaces of the closing arm and jaws.

9. A trap having a base, a pair of opposed jaws,V a pivoted, spring-actuated closing arm embracing the jaws, and traveling in an arc which is out of alignment with that portion of the jaws Vengaged by the closing arm throughout its range Vof movement, said closing arm having ain aperture, the Vlateral edges of which engage the jaws having portions Yextendinginwardly for applying pressure to said jaws in opposite directions Vat an angleless than 180 the one to the other,

when the jaws are in completely closed position.

IFlERSI-IEY ROY GRAYBILL. 

